Portable register



De c. 28, 1937. JQQ. SHERMAN PORTABLE REGISTER Filed Aug. 27, 1934 Patented Dec. 28, 1937 UNITED STATES 2.103.219 PORTABLE asois'raa John Q. Sherman, Dayton, Ohio Application sum: 21, 1934, Serial Nassau.

19 Claim.

This invention relates to manifolding apparatus employing continuous connected stationery, and more particularly to a manifolding reg-- ister suitable for sales book use or for use by deliverymen, checkers, stock-keepers, and others who have occasion to issue record. slips or memoranda while moving from place to place and retain duplicate copies thereof and hence suitable to be held in the hand while making record 0 inscriptions thereon.

In the present invention there is contemplated a box-like container for a packet of continuous strips of connected printed forms folded into zig'zag formation for issuance in superposed registering relation with portions of transfer material interleaved therebetwegn ready to receive written inscription. Interiorly of the container there is provided automatic arresting and releasing means for retarding the advancement of the strips or forms when a predetermined length thereof has been withdrawn and facilitating the aligning and registration of the withdrawn superposed forms inwriting position. The record strips and the associated transfer material are so engaged on the swinging cover of the container that-they may be conveniently arranged in adjusted relation before the container is closed and the lid or cover may thereafter be raised without disarranging such materials. The terminal portions of the strips may be withdrawn from the container without raising the top or cover thereof and be disposed over such cover in detachably engaged relation therewith with the transfer material interleaved therebetween 5 for manifolding the original inscription upon underlying forms.

Located beneath the packet container is a compartment for detached copies which is preferably formed as a separate unit to be attached to the packet container or omitted therefrom as desired, provision being made for automatically opening the storage compartment by withdrawal of succeeding portions of the record strips.

The object of the invention is to improve th construction as well as the means and mode of operation of manifolding registers and other strip dispensing apparatus, whereby they will not only be simple in construction and capable of being economically manufactured, but will be more eflicient in use, capable of convenient and rapid operation, accurate in action, and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a manifolding register of relatively light weight, compact form, and relatively small proportions,

lease the forms preparatory to further advancement under the influence of increased pulling tension thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for,,mounting the interleaved transfer material and to facilitate the reloading of the register or dispensing device when a supply packet has become exhausted.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for engaging the record strips and transfer material with the lid or cover of the packet holder, which in turn serves as a writing tablet.

A further object of the invention is to provide a convenient unitary storage compartment for detached slips which may be connected to or omitted from the packetholder as the occasion may require.

A further object of the invention is to provide a normally closed storage compartment for detached strips with means for automatically opening such storage compartment by the withdrawal of succeeding portions of the record strips pre- Daratory to detachment. of inscribed portions thereof for storage in the compartment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a strip dispensing apparatus possessing the meritorious features of construction and the desirable characteristics hereinafter mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view, as will more fully appearin the specification, the invention consists of theffeatures of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter describied and set forth in the claims,

Referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodimentof the invention, Fig. 1 is a'perspective view. of ,the

portable manifoldirig register forming the sub-' ject matter hereof, with .the withdrawn portions of the record strips disposed thereon preparatory to receiving an inscription. Fig. 2 is apex-spective view showing the packetholder-with its cover or lid, forming the writing tablet, raised to up-- right position thereby disclosing the disposition of the packet of record strips therein and the relative arrangement of the strips and transfer material upon the lid or cover. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the automatic locking and release means for the loose slip storage compartment. Fig. 5 illustrates a modification of the detent plate carrier.

Like parts are indicated by'similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The present manifolding apparatus is especially adapted for dispensing successive portions of superposed continuous strips 1-4 of connected printed forms which are collectively folded reversely at spaced intervals into zigzag formation, forming a supply packet 2, from which the overlying forms are progressively withdrawn. The strips I are provided with transverse division lines which may be perforated, scored, or otherwise weakenedto facilitate the detachment of successive printed forms from each other. These weakened division lines are preferably coincident with the reverse folds of the strips.

Interposed between the terminal portions of the record strips I are relatively short lengths of transfer or carbon material -3 of greater extent, however, than the length of the successive forms comprising the strips and hence sufficiently long to extend beyond the first transverse division and fold lines of the strips into overlapping relation with the second set of interconnected forms. At their inner ends the interleaved portions 3 of transfer or carbon material are attached to transverse supporting strips 4 of cardboard, fiber,

or other'suitable material, the ends of which,

project beyond the lateral margins of the record .strips I for engagement with suitable anchor devices within the dispensing device or register.

By this means the transfer material is adapted to be fixedly secured within the register or strip dispensing device from which the transfer material portions extend in interleaved relation with' board or other suitable sheetmaterial. .This receptacle or container 5 is of substantially equal width but of slightly greater length than the dimensions of the supply packet 2 of record material to be contained therein. One end of the packet holder or container is provided with a fixed overhanging partial cover portion 6 forming in such end of the holder or container a pocket within which the packet 2 of record material is received. The packet 2 is retained in such partially closed end of the holder or container by a transverse cleat 1 secured to the bottom of the container 5 in a position to project beyond the opposite end of the supply packet. The remaining open top of the holder or container 5 is provided with a swinging lid or cover 8 having dependent side flanges 9 and pivotally connected at ii] to the box-like container 5. The free edge of the overhanging fixed cover portion 6 is depressed somewhat below the level of the marginof the swinging cover or lid 8 when the latter is closed whereby the margin of the lid 0 overhangs that of the fixed cover portion 6 in slightly spaced relation to afiord an exit slot from the interior of the container or holder I through which the superposed record strips I may be withdrawn The swinging lid or cover I, which is of less length than the holder or container 5, is substantially equal in length to that of the detachable forms comprising the record strips I and affords a writing tablet, over which the withdrawn portions of the strips and the interleaved transfer material are reversely folded into writing position to receive the manifolded inscription.

Projecting from the under side of the swinging cover 8 is a pair of oppositely disposed dependent stirrups II which project interiorly of the container 5 at opposite sides of the supply packet 2 when the lid is closed. These stirrups II receive the projecting ends of the mounting strips 4 to which the transfer material 3 isattached to hold the transfer material stationary while the record strips are being advanced relative thereto. These mounting strips 3 are sufficiently fiexible that they can be easily sprung into engaging relation with the stirrups II.

As is shown in Fig. 2, the record strips I-I extend from the supply packet 2 along the inner 'side of the cover or lid 8 and parallel therewith and between" the projecting stirrups Ii beyond which they continue in alternating relation with the interleaved transfer material portions 3 and the mounting strips 4. The ends of the anchor or mounting strips 4 are loosely held in the stirrups II which, however, retard the advancement of the transfer material in unison with the record strips. The record strips I and interleaved transfer material sheets 3 are collectively folded reversely about the edge of the cover or lid portion 8, coincident with the registering transverse weakening division and fold lines of the respective strips, with the full length of the terminal set of registering forms disposed on the outer side of the lid or cover 8 in writing position. Each succeeding form of the respective strips I is provided at its advanced end with spaced holes which are adapted to engage studs l2 projecting from the top of the cover I. These engaging studs'I2 have slightly reduced necks whereby the heads of the studs will to a slight degree overhang the margins of the holes in the forms to resist disengagement therefrom.

In order to align the forms and yieldingly arrest the withdrawn portions in registering relation, there is provided within the receptacle or container 5 a swinging member Il which, for simplicity and convenience of manufacture, comprises a plate medially bent upon itself to parallel spaced form and pivoted as at II to the side walls in overlying relation with the supply packet I. This swinging aligning member is provided with .a slide plate I5 mounted thereon and projected beyond the free margin of the swinging carrier by retractile springs I6 intermediate the spaced reversely folded portions of the carrier plate, These retractile springs are engaged with studs I1 carried by the slide plate I5 and projecting through slots l8 in the swinging carrier. Journalled in the swinging carrier immediately below the slide plate I! is an idler roller I! which coacts with a companion idler roller 20 journalled in the container 5 to guide the record strips I from the supply packet 2 about the free end of the swinging carrier I 4 and the sliding detent plate carried thereby into a path parallel with the under side of the lid or cover 8. The swinging carrier Ii is provided with laterally extending projections or flanges 2| engaging rests upon the inner sides of the side walls of the container or receptacle 5 in closed position, the margin of the sliding detent plate i5 is spaced from the free edge of the lid or covert a distance substantiallyv equal to the length of one of the detachable forms. Thus as the record strips are withdrawn from the supply v packet 2 around the end of the swinging carrier M, the margin of the sliding detent plate will engage in succeeding folds of the strips to yieldingly arrest the movement of the strips and press the overlying folds of the several strips into conformity with each other, while at the same time the preceding set of folds conform to and enclose the free edge of the cover Or lid which thereby insures accurate registry and alignment of the withdrawn portions of .the strips disposed upon the lid or writing tablet in inscription receiving position.

When the withdrawn portions of the strips have been inscribed and itis desired to advance the strips to present succeeding forms in writing position, the inscribed forms are disengaged from the studs l2 and are preferably, though not necessarily, reversely turned off of the lid or writing tablet into extended alignment therewith and upon pulling tension being applied to 'the ends of the record strips beyond the terminals of the transfer sheets which terminate in spaced relation with the extremities of the record strips, the latter are withdrawn from the box or container 5 relative to and independently of the transfer material. In such movement the tension upon the strips will cause the detent plate 55 to be retracted, by its engagement with the enclosing folds of the strips, against the tension of the springs l6 until the margin" of the detent plate is'coincident with or slightly beyond the strip engaging surface of the roll is which thereby causes the fold in the strips to be disengaged from the edge of the detent plate, permitting the strips to. pass freely th'ereabout. As the detent plate 95 is released from the retractive pull upon the strips due to disengagement of the fold therefrom, the springs it will again return the sliding plate E5 to its advanced position beyond the roll 59 where it is efiective for restraining engagement with the next succeeding folds of the strips. By its engagement in the folds of the strips, the plate .imposes sumcient resistance upon the strips to indicate to the operator that the required length of the superposed strips has been withdrawn. Furthermore, by its spring tensioned engagement in the folds it imposes a slight rearward pulling tension upon the strips which tends to set the preceding fold of the strips more firmly into enclosing engagement with the free edge of the cover or writing tablet 8 to insure accurate registration of the forms in writing position. To facilitate swinging movement of the detent plate carrier to enable the packet 2 to be conveniently inserted therebeneath within the container 5, the carrier is provided with a finger hole 22 into which the operatormay insert his finger to lift the-carrier about its pivotal connection with the container.

In order to provide space for the pivotal mounting of the swinging carrier wholly within the container 5, and to provide clearance for the stirrups H, spacers 23 are preferably, though not necessarily, secured to the interior side walls of the container 5 and serve to hold the packet in slightly spacedrelation with the side walls. Upon retractive movement of the detent plate l5 against thetension of the spring l6 under influence of pulling tensionaipon the strips, the roller 19 acts as a stripper to dislodge the fold from the margin of the detent plate when the latter has been retracted. substantially flush with or slightly be yond the face of the roller.

is the same as before described, that is to say, the

plate l5is mounted for to and fro movement upon the carrier Ida and carries studs l'l projecting through slots l8 in the carrier, interiorly of which they are engaged with the retracting springs IS. The shortened swinging carrier Ida carries a roller i9 which performs the same-funce .1

tion and occupies the same relative position as be temporarily stored the detached sheets or sales slips. In the present instance, this storage compartment comprises a drawer 26 slidably mounted in a unitary housing 21 engageable with the under side of the packet holder or register. To this end the drawer housing 2? is provided with tongues 28 of material struck therefrom which upon being projected through registering holes in the under side 'of the packet holder or register box. 5 are clenched interiorly thereof to secure the storage unit in place. unit housing 2! there is provided an expansion spring 29 adapted to eject the drawer 26 to apartially open position to receive the detached slips. The drawer 26 is normally held retracted against the tension of the ejecting spring 29 by a locking lever 30 pivoted intericrly of the packet holder 5,

one end 3| of which is adapted to project through registering holes in the bottomof the packet holder and top of the storage unit housing 21 into the path of the drawer 26. The opposite end of the detent lever 3b projects into the path of the plate l 5, preferably, though not necessarily, by extending through a suitable hole in such plate, whereby as the plate i5 is reciprocated the detent lever 30 will be oscillated about its pivotal connection.

The arrangement of parts is such that upon retraction of the detent plate It under influence of the springs it into its extended position preparatory to engagement with a fold of the record strips, the lever 3b is oscillated to thrust the looking nose 36 thereof into the path of travel of the storage drawer 26.

When, upon completion of anainscrlption and withdrawal of a succeeding portion of the strips to renew the supply of forms in writing position,

the detent plate it is subjected to retractive movement by the pulling tension of the strips it carries with it the locking lever 30 thereby raising the detent nose 38 out of the path of the storage drawer 26, allowing such drawer to be ejected by by the reaction of the expansion spring 29. Thus the act of withdrawing a succeeding portionof the recordstrips automatically opens the storage Interiorly of the storage ing cover 8 are longitudinally offset relative to the packet. When the swinging writing tablet 8, is raised the packet and coacting parts are readily accessible. Cross reference is made to copending companion applications, Serial Nos. 673,207, filed May 27, 1933; 677,629, filed June 26, 1933; 729,034,

filed June 4, 1934; 741,578, filed August 27, 1934} 'and 741,579, filed August 27, 1934.

From the above description it will be apparent thatthere is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into eifect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In a manifolding register for a packet of superposed record strips reversely folded at spaced therein and being of greater length than the packet compartment, a fixed partial cover for the container, the packet receiving compartment being located in a portion of the container where it is overhung by said fixed partial cover, a swinging cover portion for the container forming a writing tablet for withdrawn portions of the strips, there being an exit slot intermediate the swinging and fixed cover portions, and the writing tablet being longitudinally offset relative to the packet compartment, and means for anchoring transfer sheets interiorly of the container for extension through said slot and thence over. the writing tablet in interleaved relation with the withdrawn portion of the strips. n

2. In a manifolding register for a packet o superposed record strips reversely folded at spaced intervals into zigzag formatlonand divisible on transverse weakening lines at spaced intervals into succeeding sections, a'container for .said packet, said container having a packet compartment therein and being of greater length than the packet compartment, a fixed partial cover for the container, the packet receiving compartment being located in a portion to one end of the container where it is overhung by said fixed partial cover, a swinging cover portion for the container forming a writing tablet for withdrawn portions of the strips, there being an exit slot intermediate the swinging and fixed cover portions, the writing tablet being longitudinally oil'set relative to the packet receiving compartment, and means carried by the swinging cover portion for anchoring sheets of transfer material in interleaved relation with the withdrawn portions of the record strips.

3. In a manifolding register for a packet of superposed record strips reversely folded at spaced intervals into zigzag formation and divisible on transverse weakening lines at spaced intervals into succeeding sections, a container for said packet, said container having a receiving compartment therein being of greater'length than the packet receiving compartment, a fixed partial cover for the container, the packet receiving compartment being located in a portion of the con-' tainer where it is overhung by said fixed partial cover, a swinging cover portion for the container forming a writing tablet for withdrawn portions of the strips, there being an exit slot intermediate the swinging and fixed cover portions, and the writing tablet being longitudinally offset relative to the packet receiving compartment, yielding fold engaging detent means within the container engageable with succeeding folds of the strips to temporarily retard the advancement thereof when a predetermined length thereof has been withdrawn, and anchor means for the transfer material carried by the writing tablet interiorly of the container.

4. A manifolding register including a container for a supply packet of reversely folded superposed record strips having an exit opening through which succeeding portions of the strips may be withdrawn, a cover therefor forming a writing tablet over one end of which the withdrawn portions of the strips may be advanced into writing position, a yielding detent member disposed adjacent the opposite end of the cover and engageable with the strips to temporarily retard their movement when a predetermined length thereof has been withdrawn, and a bodily removable mounting for the detent member.

5. A manifolding register including a container for a supply packet of reversely folded superposed record strips having an exit opening through which succeeding portions of the strips may be withdrawn, a cover therefor forming a writing tablet over which withdrawn portions of the strips may be disposed in writing position, a reciprocatory detent plate engageable in succeeding folds of the strips to temporarily retard their move ment, a swinging carrier therefor, and means for detachably pivotally connecting the carrier with the container.

7. A manifolding register including a container for a supply packet of reversely folded superposed record strips, having an exit opening through which succeeding portions of the strips may be withdrawn, a covertherefor forming a writing tablet over which withdrawn portions of the strips may be disposed in writing position, a reciprocatory detent plate engageable in succeeding folds of the strips to temporarily retard their movethe yielding movement of the strip detent under ment, and a detachable carrier therefor mounted within the container.

8. A manifolding register including a container for a supply packet of reversely folded superposed record strips, having an exit opening through which succeeding portions of the strips may be. withdrawn, a pivotally mounted cover therefor.

forming a writing tablet over which withdrawn portions of the strips may be disposed in writing position, studs overlying the pivot and hav ing slightly enlarged heads projecting from the; writing tablet for engagement in correspondingly located holes in the record strips, and means underlying the pivot and within the container for exerting a retractive influence upon the strips for holding them engaged beneath the heads of tension'upon the record strip for automatically opening the compartment, said means including a member projecting into the path of the relatively movable record material support and releasable by movement of said record material support.

10. A manifolding register, including a container for a supply of record stripmaterial transversely divisible at spaced intervals into succeeding sheets, having an exit opening through which the strip material may be withdrawn, a member movable in response to the withdrawal of succeeding portions of the strip material from the container, a normally locked storage compartment for detached portions of the strip material, and means for automatically unlocking the storage compartment, said means being interconnected to said movable member whereby the movement of said member upon withdrawal of a portion of the strip material unlocks the storage compartment.

11'. The combinationwith a dispensing device for strip material divisible at spaced intervals into succeeding sheets, of a storage compartment associated therewith for detached portions of the strip material, a movable strip engaging device operated by the withdrawal of the strip material, and a closure for the storage compartment controlled by the movement of said strip engaging device.

12. The combination with a dispensing apparatus for superposed reversely folded record trips divisible at spaced intervals into succe ding sheets, a yielding detent plate engageable in succeeding folds of the strips to temporarily retard their movement and adapted to'yield under increased pulling tension upon the strips, a reciprocatorystorage drawer associated with the dispensing apparatus for receiving detached portions of the strips, an ejecting spring for said drawer, a detent normally holding the drawer in retracted position against the tension of the ejecting spring, said drawer detent being opera-' tively connected with said strip detent plate and disengaged from its drawer locking position by influence of pulling tension on the strips;

13. In a manifolding register, the combination with a container for a packet of reversely folded superposed record strips transversely folded at' spaced intervals, into succeeding sheets, and having an exit opening for withdrawal of the strips, a movable record material support within the container normally engaging the strips and actua.ted by movement of the strips, and a writing tablet over which withdrawn portions of the strips may be disposed in writing position, of a separate unitary storage compartment disposed in the bottom of the packet compartment and movable from closed to open position to receive detached portions of the strips, and locking mechanism for the maintainingof the storage compartment in closed position, said locking mechanism including means projecting into the path of the movable record material support and movable therewith to release the storage compartment locking means, simultaneously with movement of the strips.

14. In a manifolding register, the combination with a container for a packet of reversely folded superposed record strips transversely divisible at spaced intervals into succeeding sheets, having an exit opening for withdrawal of the strips,

and a writing tablet over which the withdrawn portions may be disposed in writing position, of a storage compartment for detached portions of the strips and a lock for said storage compartment and release means actuated by withdrawal movement of the record strips for automatically opening the compartment simultaneously with the withdrawal of succeeding portions of the strips.

15. In a hand manifolding register a box-like container for a packetof reversely folded superposed strips of record material divisible at spaced intervals on transverse weakened lines, having an exit opening at one end thereof through which succeeding portions of the strips may be withdrawn, a cover for the container forming a writing tablet mounted to overlie the container and be supported thereon when in writing position including an edged portion engageable in a reverse fold of the strips to allocate the withdrawn portions of the strips in writing position upon the exterior face of the cover, anchor devices carried upon the underside of the cover and dis-- posed within the container when thecover and withdrawn portions of the strips are in writing position, and transverse mounting strips engaged therewith from which transfer sheets interleaved with the record strips may extend through the exit opening of the container and thence about an edge of the cover into overlying relation therewith in interleaved relation with the withdrawn portions of the strip upon the outer face of the cover.

16. A' hand manifolding register including a container of box-like form, a cover normally.

overlying and resting upon the container and forming a writing tablet including an edged portion about which and over the exterior face of the writing tabletsuperposed record strips may be extended from a supplywithin the container into writing position on the exterior face of said cover, said edged portion being engageable in a fold thereof to align the strips in writing position, dependent holding devices for transfer material sheets carried on the underside of the cover and extending within the container when the 'cover and record strips are disposed in writing position,

from which transfer material sheets interleaved between the strips extend therewithabout an edge and reverseiy over the exterior face of the cover.

17. A portable manifolding r ister including a box-like container for a. supply of superposed record strips, having an outlet opening through which the strips may be withdrawn, a cover hinged thereto for swinging movement and when positioned in overlying relation with the container forming a writing tablet including an edged portion engageable in a fold of the strips when the withdrawn portions of the strips are reversely folded into writing position upon the exterior face thereof, to align the strips thereon and means supported on the interior side of the cover and within the -container when the register is in condition to receive record inscriptions, for confining certain of the strips for swinging movement in unison with the cover 18. A hand manifolding register including a box-like container for a supply ofsuperposed record strips, having an exit opening through which succeeding portions of the strips may be withdrawn, a swinging cover forming awriting tablet overlying the container and supported thereon when it is in condition to receive record inscriptions upon withdrawn portions of the strips disposed in writing position upon the exterior face of the cover including an edged portion engageabie in a reverse fold of the strips to locate the withdrawn portions of the strips in writing position and a series of transverse strips supported within the container and beneath the cover to which may be attached sheets of transfer material for extending intermediate the strips from the container through the exit opening and about an edge of the cover from the under to the top side thereof.

19. A hand manifolding register including a box-like container for supply of superposed record strips having an exit opening through which succeeding portions of the strips may be withdrawn, a swinging cover forming a writing tablet overlying and supported upon the container when the register is in condition to receive record inscriptions upon withdrawn portions of the strips disposed in writing position upon the exterior face of the cover including an edged portion engageable in a reverse fold of the strips to locate the withdrawn portions thereof in writing position and a series of transverse guide strips supported on the underside of the cover within the container between which said strips pass to the exit opening and thence about an edge of the cover into writing position on the exterior face thereof and confining said strips for unison swinging movement with said cover.

' JOHN Q. SHERMAN. 

